AMC-21

On August 14, 2008, an Ariane 5 rocket launched the SES Americom AMC-21 communications satellite into orbit from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Orbital supplied its STAR-2 spacecraft bus for the GEO communications satellite under a contract with Thales Alenia Space. Part of the SES global family of companies, SES Americom has been operating satellites for more than 30 years over the United States.

Operating from the 125 degree West Longitude orbital location, AMC-21 will supplement SES Americom’s fleet of 16 satellites over the United States, Asia and Europe. The satellite carries 24 high-powered Ku-band channels, and will provide fixed communications and television distribution services over the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii, and the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and Central American regions. The spacecraft will deliver 4.4 kilowatts of payload power and support a 15-year on-orbit mission life.

AMC-21 is the first of five satellites Orbital is scheduled to provide for the SES Global family of companies in the near future. Orbital is providing the NSS-9 satellite, scheduled for launch in late 2008, for SES New Skies. In addition, Orbital is providing the AMC-5R and two additional satellites to SES Americom under a multi-satellite contract originally awarded to the company in 2007.

For more information:
Orbital’s AMC-21 Webpage
AMC-21 Fact Sheet
AMC-21 Images
Orbital’s STAR Bus Fact Sheet
SES Americom Website
Thales Alenia Space Website
Arianespace Website